Arelerland

The Land of Arlon (Luxembourgish/German: Arelerland, Luxembourgish pronunciation: [ˈaːʀəlɐlɑnt], German: [ˈaːʁəlɐlant]; French: Pays d'Arlon, French pronunciation: [ˈpe.i d ͜ aʀ.lɔ̃]; Dutch: Land van Aarlen [ˌlɑnt fɑn ˈaːrlə(n)])[1] is the traditionally Luxembourgish-speaking part of Belgian Lorraine, which is now predominantly French-speaking. Arlon is the main city of this region.

Unofficial flag
Arrondissement of Arlon

The area has borders with the Gaume to the west and with the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg to the east. It lies to the south of the Ardennes. It coincides largely with the arrondissement of Arlon, part of the province of Luxembourg.

Languages

Bilingual street sign in Martelange.
Bilingual street sign in Tontelange.

In the Land of Arlon, the traditional language is Luxembourgish, which is also spoken in the adjacent Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. In 1990, the French Community of Belgium recognised the regional languages on its territory, of which Luxembourgish is one; however, it did not take any further measures.

Linguistic census results

The following data are the linguistic results of the census as they appeared in the Belgian Official Journal. Here the language shift from Luxembourgish to French is clearly visible.

  • NL: Dutch
  • FR: French
  • DE: German (to be interpreted as Luxembourgish)

Language that is mostly or exclusively spoken

YearNL
Number
FR
Number
DE
Number
NL
Pct.
FR
Pct.
DE
Pct.
19102539,99730,1240.6%24.8%74.6%
192021716,62322,9360.5%41.8%57.7%
193015521,92818,6460.4%53.8%45.8%
194711636,4672,4110.3%93.5%6.2%

Known languages

Yearonly NL
Number
NL & FR
Number
only FR
Number
FR & DE
Number
only DE
Number
DE & NL
Number
NL & FR & DE
Number
None
Number
only NL
Pct.
NL & FR
Pct.
only FR
Pct.
FR & DE
Pct.
only DE
Pct.
DE & NL
Pct.
NL & FR & DE
Pct.
1846 299 3,909 24,275 1.0% 13.7% 85.2%
1866 68 127 3,221 6,342 19,465 23 68 1 0.2% 0.4% 11.0% 21.6% 66.4% 0.1% 0.2%
1880 362 161 3,799 9,459 16,007 8 75 60 1.2% 0.5% 12.7% 31.7% 53.6% 0.0% 0.3%
1890 7 179 4,827 13,523 14,818 14 327 2 0.0% 0.5% 14.3% 40.1% 44.0% 0.0% 1.0%
1900 144 323 6,203 18,950 10,108 11 294 1,867 0.4% 0.9% 17.2% 52.6% 28.1% 0.0% 0.8%
1910 122 415 8,045 20,670 10,892 7 238 2,165 0.3% 1.0% 19.9% 51.2% 27.0% 0.0% 0.6%
1920 94 407 11,566 20,842 6,715 2 350 1,346 0.2% 1.0% 28.9% 52.1% 16.8% 0.0% 0.9%
1930 45 432 15,914 18,456 5,562 7 326 1,763 0.1% 1.1% 39.1% 45.3% 13.7% 0.0% 0.8%
1947 14 675 27,234 9,726 733 4 1,071 1,605 0.0% 1.7% 69.0% 24.6% 1.9% 0.0% 2.7%

Municipalities and villages in Arelerland

Map of the Luxembourgish language area within Belgium

These are the municipalities, with their sections and villages, in the Land of Arlon.

  • Municipality of Arlon (Arel)
    • Arlon (Arel): Clairefontaine (Badebuerg), Fouches (Affen), Sampont (Sues), Sesselich (Siesselech)
    • Autelbas (Nidderälter): Autelhaut (Uewerälter), Barnich (Barnech), Stehnen (Stienen), Sterpenich (Sterpenech), Weyler (Weller)
    • Bonnert (Bunnert): Frassem (Fruessem), Seymerich (Seimerech), Viville (Alenuewen), Waltzing (Walzeng)
    • Guirsch (Giisch): Heckbous (Heckbus)
    • Heinsch (Häischel): Freylange (Frällen), Schoppach (Schappech), Stockem (Stackem)
    • Toernich (Ternech): Udange (Eiden)
  • Municipality of Attert (Atert)
    • Attert (Atert): Grendel (Grendel), Luxeroth (Luxeroth), Post, Schadeck (Schuedeck), Schockville (Schakeler)
    • Nobressart (Gehaanselchert): Almeroth (Almeroth), Heinstert (Heeschtert)
    • Nothomb (Noutem): Parette (Parrt), Rodenhoff (Roudenhaff)
    • Thiaumont (Diddebuerg): Lischert (Leschert)
    • Tontelange (Tontel): Metzert (Metzert)
  • Municipality of Aubange (Éibeng)
    • Aubange (Éibeng)
    • Athus (Attem): Guerlange (Gierleng)
    • Halanzy (Hueldang): Aix-sur-Cloie (Esch-op-der Huurt), Battincourt (Beetem)
    • Rachecourt (Reissich)
  • Municipality of Martelange (Maartel): Grumelange, Radelange
  • Municipality of Messancy (Miezeg)
    • Messancy (Miezeg): Differt (Déifert), Longeau (Laser), Turpange (Tiirpen)
    • Habergy (Hiewerdang): Bébange (Bieben), Guelff (Gielef)
    • Hondelange (Hondeleng)
    • Sélange (Séilen)
    • Wolkrange (Woulker): Buvange (Béiwen)
  • Sections of municipalities that are not completely part of Arelerland
    • Hachy (Häerzeg), section of the municipality of Habay
    • Tintange (Tënnen), section of the municipality Fauvillers
      • Bodange (Biedeg)
      • Warnach (Warnech)
      • Wisembach (Wiisbech)

Notes

  1. In isolation, van is pronounced [vɑn].

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